Biomimetic light-harvesting funnels for re-directioning of diffuse light
2018 | journal article
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Biomimetic light-harvesting funnels for re-directioning of diffuse light
Pieper, A.; Hohgardt, M.; Willich, M.; Gacek, D. A.; Hafi, N.; Pfennig, D. & Albrecht, A. et al. (2018)
Nature Communications, 9(1) art. 666. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-03103-4
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Details
- Authors
- Pieper, Alexander; Hohgardt, Manuel; Willich, Maximilian; Gacek, Daniel Alexander; Hafi, Nour; Pfennig, Dominik; Albrecht, Andreas; Walla, Peter Jomo
- Abstract
- Efficient sunlight harvesting and re-directioning onto small areas has great potential for more widespread use of precious high-performance photovoltaics but so far intrinsic solar concentrator loss mechanisms outweighed the benefits. Here we present an antenna concept allowing high light absorption without high reabsorption or escape-cone losses. An excess of randomly oriented pigments collects light from any direction and funnels the energy to individual acceptors all having identical orientations and emitting ~90% of photons into angles suitable for total internal reflection waveguiding to desired energy converters (funneling diffuse-light re-directioning, FunDiLight). This is achieved using distinct molecules that align efficiently within stretched polymers together with others staying randomly orientated. Emission quantum efficiencies can be >80% and single-foil reabsorption <0.5%. Efficient donor-pool energy funneling, dipole re-orientation, and ~1.5-2 nm nearest donor-acceptor transfer occurs within hundreds to ~20 ps. Single-molecule 3D-polarization experiments confirm nearly parallel emitters. Stacked pigment selection may allow coverage of the entire solar spectrum.
- Issue Date
- 2018
- Journal
- Nature Communications
- ISSN
- 2041-1723
- eISSN
- 2041-1723
- Language
- English